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Among the components of roller blades, the wheels tend to wear out most rapidly. Replacing them typically rejuvenates your skates, making them feel nearly as good as new. Fortunately, you're able to swap the wheels yourself — simply adhere to this guide and you’ll be gliding smoothly in no time.
Required tool: Allen key or a skate-tool (Certain skates might demand two tools, one for each side of the wheel).
Utilise the tool on the bolt securing the axle. In several instances, two tools or Allen keys are necessary, as depicted in the image above. Once the bolt is loosened, you are able to extract the axle and screw. Proceed by taking the old wheel out from the frame.
This is an opportune moment to clean the frame and bearings. Thus, we suggest that you remove dirt with a dry cloth from the area where the wheel was situated.
Employ a skate-tool or an Allen key to detach the bearings from the old wheel. Should you wish to reinstall the bearings in the new wheel, cleanse all dirt from the bearings with a dry cloth. Consider also cleaning your bearings.
Discover more: How to clean your bearings
Apart from the bearings, a spacer resides within the wheel. This spacer should also be reused in the new wheel (Be aware that several skates have 2- or 3-piece spacers).
Insert the bearings and spacer into the new wheel. Ensure that the bearings fit snugly. (If the bearings do not fit tightly, the wheel may wobble, which should be avoided. Opt for better wheels with a tighter hub)
The new wheel is primed for installation. Position the new wheel in the vacant slot in the frame.
Thread an axle through the wheel and attach the screw. Employ the skate-tool to tighten the screw. The screw should be quite firm, yet not so much that it impedes the wheel's ability to spin freely.
Replicate this process for every wheel. New wheels generally have a larger diameter than the worn ones. As a result, your skating speed might increase, so exercise caution when using your skates for the first time following a wheel replacement.
